First protests filed for GSA's OASIS

May. 29, 2014 - 06:00AM
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The first round of protests of GSA's OASIS contract have been filed. (Sheila Vemmer/staff)

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Several companies have filed bid protests against the General Services Administration’s OASIS contract, according to documents filed with the Government Accountability Office.

VSE Corporation, American Systems Corporation, the Logistics Management Institute and Aljucar, Anvil-Incus & Company all filed protests May 27. Aljucar, Anvil-Incus & Company also filed bid protests during the pre-award phase of the contract, which were denied.

GSA awarded its 10-year, multibillion dollar OASIS contract to 74 companies on May 19. OASIS is governmentwide acquisition contract that offers professional services, such as financial management and engineering, scientific and logistics services. OASIS also features separate contracts for small businesses and larger firms and is valued at around $6 billion a year in agency business.

GAO has until Sept. 4 to render a decision. The GAO sustains only a small number of bid protests, but agencies and contractors often agree to a settlement prior to that decision. Settlements could include re-opening the contract to the denied contractor.

Tom Sharpe, commissioner of the Federal Acquisition Service, told Federal Times before the protests were filed that declining budgets have meant more bid protests, but that GSA’s unprecedented amount of outreach and meticulousness in developing and awarding the contract should help with any bid protests.

“If we are delayed in rolling it out because of a protest, that is just how federal procurement works,” Sharpe said.

GSA spokeswoman Mafara Hobson said the agency was confident the protests would be resolved quickly.

“We are incredibly excited to provide this comprehensive contracting tool for federal agencies, which will save them time, and taxpayers money,” Hobson said.